Many times, in our life, we often look outwards, seeking guidance or reassurance or for divine presence at times. We turn to temples, rituals, teachers, and books. But Vemana gently reminds us to look within, for what we seek may already be present inside us. As per the first poem of Vemana Satakam, the gaze must be turned inwards – always.
Today’s verse from Vemana Satakam speaks of this inner truth with quiet confidence. It invites us to pause, reflect, and recognise the divine not as something distant, but as something deeply personal.
The First Verse from Vemana Satakam
తలపులోన గలుగు దా దైవమే ప్రొద్దు
తలచి చూడనతకు తత్వమగును
వూఱకుణ్డ నేర్వునుత్తమ యోగిరా
విశ్వదాభిరామ వినుర వేమ! ॥ 1 ॥
talapulōna galugu dā daivamē proddu
talachi chūḍanataku tatvamagunu
vūRakuṇḍa nērvunuttama yōgirā
viśvadābhirāma vinura vēma! ॥ 1 ॥
English Translation
The divine dwells within one’s own thought.
To recognise it through reflection—that itself is true wisdom.
One who learns to remain still becomes a true yogi.
O all-pervading Lord, listen—thus speaks Vemana.
(Translation adapted from traditional English renderings, including those attributed to C. P. Brown.)
Reflection
Vemana gives us a very simple message through this verse – that divine is not somewhere outside us. It lives in our own mind. Let’s talk about the word talapu here, which means awareness or thought. But does just thinking makes anything divine? No, it does not. What Yogi Vemana means here is that when we are truly aware and attentive, we begin to feel the divine within us.
He then says something important. To understand this truth, we must look inward carefully. This is not quick or careless thinking. It is about quietly watching our own thoughts and actions. For Vemana, wisdom does not come from arguments, debates, or showing how much, we know. It comes from understanding ourselves better.
Next, Vemana speaks about being still. A person who learns to stay calm and steady inside becomes a true yogi. Here, yoga does not mean physical exercises or poses. It means having a peaceful mind. When the mind stops running after everything outside, it becomes easier to notice what is already within us.
Vemana ends by reminding us that the divine is everywhere. It is not far away or separate from us. It exists all around us and within us. This is why the verse still feels meaningful today. It does not ask us to leave the world or follow difficult paths. It simply asks us to slow down, look within, and be honest with ourselves.
In a world full of noise and constant distractions, Vemana’s words feel especially relevant. Perhaps true wisdom does not come from seeking more, but from pausing and paying attention.
A Gentle Takeaway
If the divine truly resides within thought itself, then moments of silence are not empty—they are sacred. Maybe we don’t always need answers. Sometimes, we need stillness enough to notice what has always been present.
Source note: This verse is from Vemana Satakam, a classical Telugu collection attributed to the poet-saint Vemana. The English translation is adapted from public-domain translations, including those by C. P. Brown. The reflection is my personal interpretation of the verse.
Do check out more on Vemana Satakam HERE
